These new airport lounges are designed to fight jet lag

A stretching studio. Guided meditation sessions. Shower suites with light therapy. They sound like the features of a New Age spa. But all are elements of Qantas Airways’ new international transit lounge at the Perth Airport. And they’re all designed with one purpose in mind: helping you combat jet lag. For the Australian carrier, this is an especially relevant proposition—it launched a new non-stop route from Perth to London in March, which—at 17 hours and 20 minutes on the outbound—is among the longest in the world. Qantas is not alone in this regard. Singapore Airlines has just debuted a new record-setting route that hops 12 time zones, from its namesake hub to Newark, in 18 hours and 45 minutes. As farther-apart cities become increasingly connected by direct flights, more and more airlines are stocking their lounges with wellness-related features. And they’re promoting one consistent message: If it’s sleep you’re after, skip the Champagne. Like most high-end airline lounges, it includes the requisite spa treatments and gourmet dining. More notable are the details that assist passengers with “flight recovery.” An airy patio area, for instance, has ceiling shades that can be opened to let in natural light and boost passengers’ vitamin D, which promotes healthier sleep patterns. <br/>